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Vincent Hancock – Skeet Leads

Today, I will be demonstrating the three types of leads on a skeet field using a left-to-right hand crossing target. Finding the correct method for you will lead to more broken targets and a higher score on your score card. The three types of leads I’ll be discussing are the swing through, the sustained, and the pull away.  Swing-Through Now I am going to show you how to break this target using the swing through method. First, my barrel is going to start behind the target, sweep through the bird, get in front of the target, and I’ll pull the trigger while still moving my barrel away. This is going to break your target just about every time. My barrel is going to start behind the target, sweep through the bird, get in front of the target, and pull the trigger while still moving my barrel away. Using the swing-through method isn’t my favorite, because of its inconsistency. Because as your barrel passes through the target, you’ll lose sight of it. But, you will be learning how to use this method because sometimes you get beat by the target and to break it, your barrel must pass through it.    Sustained Lead Next, I’m going to demonstrate how to break a target on the skeet field using the sustained lead. First, the shooter must get in front of the target at the appropriate lead, follow the target, and pull the trigger while maintaining the lead in follow through. This is the most consistent lead on the skeet field. Finding the correct lead, and how much lead that is, depends on how far the target is away from you and how fast it’s moving. Today, my lead on the target, which about 20 yards away, is right at 2 ½ feet to 3 feet. Get in front of the target at the appropriate lead, follow the target, and pull the trigger while maintaining follow through. On the skeet field the sustained lead is the most consistent and, because of this, it’s also my favorite.    Pull Away Last, I’m going to shoot a target using the pull away method. First, the shooter must match the speed of the target and accelerate away from it, at about 1 mile an hour faster than the target is moving. On both the skeet field and the hunting field, this is commonly used because of its consistency. I recommend you try the pull away method over all the others because it is consistent in both the shooting sports and in hunting. The shooter must match the speed of the target until the gun accelerates away from it, at about 1 mile an hour faster than the target is moving.    Remember, every lead works but you have to find the one is the most consistent for you, whether it be swing through, sustained, or pull away. Until next time, Stay Army Strong.  CLICK HERE FOR PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION